Hey guys,

Never posted here although I've used this site for information since dec/12, I felt it was time to make an account and post. Here goes.

Caregiver to Chris
Diagnosed with aggressive, poorly diff, SCC of the tonsil, stage IV T3N2bM0 HPV16/14+, former smoker, lifelong welder, age 47.
First symptoms 10/11
diagnoses of tonsil cancer 5/12
treatment discussed and scheduled 6/12
PEG placement, and 4 teeth removed 7/12
Rad 35x, 3x cisplatin started 8/12
finished treatment 10/12
PEG removal/PET showed no sign of cancer but extensive lung scarring from years of welding 11/12
follow-up PET scan showed node in left lung (sugar uptake of 5) 2/13
failed mode removal, told to follow-up with more scans 4/13
follow-up PET scan shows node in the left lung growing now has a sugar uptake of 28 6/13
left lobectomy, margins clean, no follow-up treatment 7/13 (Biopsy showed SCC unrelated to tonsil cancer)
followup CT scan clear 10/13
scare tissue causing excruciating nerve pain 11/13
Diagnosed with Osteoradionecrosis 12/13
CT scan clear Jan/14

His problem list would scare most people I'm sure, did not list it all. He got his treatment and gets his continuing care in Columbus OH.

I would just like to say thank you to some of the others members who share there experiences, they have helped us greatly when we were completely lost in the journey with Cancer and it's treatment.


~Trinity

Welcome to OCF, Trinity! Im glad to have another caregiver of a survivor aboard. Looks like your husband has been thru quite alot. Like many survivors here, the after effects they experience seem to be never ending. Congrats on the clear PET!!!

Welcome to OCF!
Thanks for the sig details. Very yet disconcerting about the battles he's fought. Congrats that he is clear now. You know to post here anytime with any questions. There are quite a few having dealt with tough long term side effects as well as recurrence. Don

Hi Trinity - glad to hear we have two more cancer warriors out there. Yes, you qualify as a warrior too. In a lot of ways, I'm sure your battle has been as difficult as his.

Welcome to the family.

Tony

Good timeline and let's hope you have no more entries!

So glad you are here... You have a great amount of info you could share to help others. So glad your hubby is doing well. I know he has a lot of issues but well is a relative term, right? Anyway welcome. and HUGS!

Thank You guys and gals for the warm welcome. I look forward to sharing experiences and trying to help others. I also look forward to being able to speak to others who have been in similar situations to get advice.

It has been a long road for my husband, through his treatment and recovery, most of which we were in the dark on the after effects of treatment. "Set backs" have just become a part of life we accept and deal with as they come, sad but we almost expect them now.

Trinity,
I am impressed with your husbands will to survive, thats a pretty remarkable list of challenges, for him and you. I am glad that you are here to share with us.